Inmate on trial for jailhouse lawyer assault attacks new lawyer in court
An inmate on trial for an alleged attack on his lawyer during a jailhouse meeting attacked his new lawyer in a Fort Edward, New York, courtroom on Thursday.
Jurors were not in the courtroom when Aaron Jabot, 34, began hitting lawyer Fred Rench, witnesses told the Post-Star. Deputies subdued Jabot, and Rench wrapped his bleeding hand in paper towels.
“That’s all he’s got? 250 pounds, that’s it?” Rench said afterward. “I wish he’d given me a couple of more seconds.”
Rench told Judge John Hall he didn’t want charges against Jabot, and he could continue to zealously represent his client. Jabot indicated he would accept a plea bargain offered before trial, but Hall said the offer was off the table. The trial continued without Jabot after he declined an offer to remain while wearing handcuffs.
Before trial, Jabot had promised there would be no disruptions. As a result, Hall had turned down a request by prosecutors to have Jabot handcuffed in the courtroom.
